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3D Robotics

Skywalker: Best UAV platform ever? (I'm in love)

Posted by Chris Anderson on April 28, 2010 at 8:00pm

[UPDATE: Hooks has, er, hooked us up with a 10% discount at FPVFlying.com, for this and anything else they sell. Just use the discount code "diydrones". Awesome! Thanks Hooks!]

Thanks to Hooks for turning us on to the new Skywalker foam UAV platform. Mine just arrived and based on a quick inspection, I'm pretty sure this is the one for me! Everything about is totally optimized for a UAV, from the payload capacity to transportability. I'm blown away by how thoughtfully designed this one is.

It's got it all:
  • The durability of foam with all the interior room of balsa
  • Payload area right under the CG, so you don't have to worry about balance issues
  • Hand launchable, but still can carry pounds of payload
  • Breaks down easily for transport
  • Ailerons and optional flaps
  • Pusher, high-wing configuration, with servos outside to save room inside
  • Super tough EPO material
  • Easy to get to equipment with big bay doors on both sides
  • External mounting spots on rear fuselage for wireless transmitters (keeps them away from other electronics)
At $144, I think it's very fairly priced. I think this is one of the best made foam ARFs that I've seen, right up there with the Multiplex line. Don't forget to order the power pack at the same time.

Here's a shot of a prototype being flown by the creators:



Rather than give it a full review (I haven't flow it yet), I'll just give first impressions in pictures.










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Comments

  • 100KM
    Hein du Plessis February 27, 2012 at 9:46pm
    Keep in mind there is a 1900mm version as well! It will be my third Skywalker ..
  • Hunter Parris February 27, 2012 at 5:43pm

    Awesome airframe.  I think this maybe the one for my UAS project.  I'll be posting details of it here on a separate thread.  You guys have been a tremendous help.

  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson July 29, 2011 at 7:31am
    Hein, if you get that version it already comes with the motor and ESC, which is what is commonly referred to as a "power pack".
  • 100KM
    Hein du Plessis July 29, 2011 at 1:33am

    Would this be the correct item to order:

     

    http://www.fpvflying.com/products/Skywalker-EPO-ESC-Brusless-motor-...

     

    What is the "power pack" that the original poster referred to? What else do I need to complete this plane? Servo's? Cables?

     

    Many thanks

  • Moderator
    Brian May 28, 2011 at 11:10am

    I really like the foam planes.  I've found that using the lightweight iron on covering really increases their crash or as I call it "hard landing" resistance.  The thing I like for these composite models is the additional room they give us for stuff.  

    I wish that the Hobby King/City folks would hurry up and make this model available in the US.  I simply will not pay $65 for shipping.  I like this plane over my second choice because the plane has ailerons versus only three channels.   My alternate plane is the NitroPlanes RQ11 (here).  For less money and cheaper shipping it's a real contender.  It does not have ailerons, but there are a tone of upgrades you can buy to do stuff like break-down the plane for travel and add ailerons.

     

    6.jpg?width=500

     

    Don't know about the Google + Kunfu...

  • Admin
    Morli May 28, 2011 at 10:48am
    Google +  Kungfu = google-fu
  • Moderator
    Brian May 28, 2011 at 10:28am
    @ Zach Bayne - I'm not sure I know how to google-fu  Can you explain what that is?  Thanks
  • Admin
    Morli May 28, 2011 at 8:01am

    You mean like this one @ HK for 166$

    EagleFPV-W-2.jpg

  • Greg N May 28, 2011 at 4:41am
    Is there an Aerofly model for the skywalker?
  • Fikri Noerhadi March 3, 2011 at 6:49am

    Zach, thanks for all of the links. 

This reply was deleted.